Arizona graduation rates are below the national average and the achievement gap for some groups of students is even more alarming.

If Arizona wants to be one of the best states to grow up, live, work and raise a family, we have to focus on increasing the number of young adults graduating high school.

The potential economic impact of increasing our state’s four-year high school graduation rate is significant. On average, high school graduates earn $8,000 more annually compared to those who don’t finish high school. These young adults are far less likely to worry about unemployment, relying on government assistance, or ever step foot in our prison system.